FACE-TO-FACE classes will continue despite the detection of XBB subvariant in the country, the Department of Education said.

“Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong advice on any change. Tayo naman sa DepEd, we’ll always take our cue from the advice given by the DOH pagdating sa mga health guidelines or health concerns,” DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said.

“Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong pagbabago na maanunsyo doon sa amendatory Department Order na na-issue natin just two days ago,” he added.

Poa was referring to Department Order No. 44, which permitted private schools to continue implementing blended or full distance learning after November 2.

It modified Department Order No. 34, which ordered public and private schools to begin offering full five-day face-to-face classes on November 2.

Eighty-one cases of the highly immune-evasive XBB subvariant have been detected, prompting the Department of Health to reiterate its call to the public to get booster shots against Covid19.